Well, if it wasn't something orange/black, then it was "THE TATRA GIRL". She's a huge...a, fan! (which is only fair, as she herself is huge and has many fans...including, apparently, the ladies at the very end.)As a sidelight, it's note worthy to point out that quite recently, whileI was coyly balancing on one leg (only having one), a most kind gent of my faded memory ("JFW"?) , may have whispered in my good ear that rumor has it that this demure damsel finds herself the subject of a fierce bidding war betwix the various vintage motorcar racing organizations to act as their Official Trophy Girl (OTG). It's said that a part of her duties will be to "signal" Morse-code style, with her chest, the car positions during each event...to the hard-of-hearing-folks...and other fans! I fear that not many eyes will be viewing the "charabancs" speeding about.Hope I get a great seat.

As a sidelight, it's note worthy to point out that quite recently, whileI was balancing on one leg (only having one), a most kind gent of my faded memory ("JFW"?) , may have whispered in my good ear that rumor has it that this demure damsel finds herself the subject of a fierce bidding war betwix the various vintage motorcar racing organizations to act as their Official Trophy Girl (OTG).

As a sidelight, it's note worthy to point out that quite recently, whileI was balancing on one leg (only having one), a most kind gent of my faded memory ("JFW"?) , may have whispered in my good ear that rumor has it that this demure damsel finds herself the subject of a fierce bidding war betwix the various vintage motorcar racing organizations to act as their Official Trophy Girl (OTG).

I would like to apply for the position.

I am not quite so talented, but I can be trained.

One "Willing to be trained" is one to be cherished...God Bless your kind, willing, heart...indeed!

Edited by zuzulo56 (05/28/1210:08 PM)

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Ronald James Michael MarinHristos Anesti!...So, Be cool and play nice!

An adroit observation!From "Tatra 603 history"23. 10. 2008:DESIGNING THE T603"...The first design drawings date from 1954, in which radical streamlined shapes can be seen with fully closed wheel arches front and rear, large wrap-around bumpers and wrap-around front and rear windows. Some designs are not unlike the American Tucker and show influences of American car design from the late 1940s and early 1950s, although T603 styling was mostly of a more modest design."http://www.oldtimers.estranky.cz/clanky/tatra-603/tatra-603-history-.html++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A Brief Illustrated History of TatraBy Paul Niedermeyer on January 5, 2008

"With its rear air-cooled OHC hemi-head V8 engine, back-bone chassis, all-independent suspension, a central driver’s position and a central headlight that swiveled with the front wheels, the 77 (and its successor 87), inspired awe as well as imitation. I’m looking at you, Mr. 1947 Tucker Torpedo. The Tucker flopped, but another Tatra mini-me went on to become the world’s most popular car: the VW Beetle.

Ferdinand Porsche’s design of the Beetle is a scaled-down version of the Tatra (minus the fin). So much so that after decades of legal battles, VW finally settled and paid 3 million Marks to Tatra in 1961. (Ledwinka’s four-cylinder Tatra 97 was so embarrassingly similar to the VW then under development that the Nazi regime halted its production after their invasion of Czechoslovakia.)

But not the glorious 87. After the Nazis took control of the Tatra factory, they kept the V8 streamliner in production. Thanks to its ability to cruise effortlessly at up to 90mph (with only 75hp), the 97 became the favorite car of high-ranking Nazi officers. It was dubbed the “Autobahnmobil.”